The wines of Quinta de Vargellas traditionally form the ‘backbone’ of the Taylor Vintage Port blend. This outstanding estate, recognised as one of the world’s finest vineyards, was acquired by Taylor in 1893 although its reputation as a source of the finest ports dates back to the 1820’s. Located in the remote eastern reaches of the Douro Valley, Vargellas is known for its elegant, scented wines, with their fine focused fruit and well integrated sinewy tannins. It is also known as a source of one of the rarest and most collectible vintage ports of all, Vargellas Vinha Velha.

Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha is a very rare Vintage Port made in tiny quantities from a selection of the very oldest vines on the Vargellas estate. Vinha Velha, pronounced vinya velya and meaning ‘old vineyard’, is the name given to the ancient terraced plots on which these old vines are grown. See VINEYARDS below for more details.

Vargellas Vinha Velha may well be the most elusive and collectible of all Vintage Ports. Only five Vinha Velha vintage ports have been released to date and the 2009 will be the sixth. Vinha Velha Vintage Ports are sold on strict allocation and, to allow the very restricted quantities to be as widely distributed as possible, is shipped only in cases of three bottles.

The character of the Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Ports is unique and their interest to collectors lies, not only in their superb quality and rarity, but also in the fact that they represent a piece of Port history, the expression of an ancient terroir whose characteristics are unlikely ever to be exactly reproduced.

As usual, the 2009 Vinha Velha represents a selection of fruit from the very oldest vines grown on the five plots which together make up the ‘old vineyard’ at Quinta de Vargellas. 2009 will be remembered as a particularly dry year, producing low yields and very concentrated, deeply coloured and tannic wines. However the 2009 vintage ports are also noted for their complexity and for the exceptional quality of their fruit.

Commenting on the release of the 2009 Vinha Velha, Adrian Bridge, Taylor’s CEO, commented: ‘The old vines, with their extensive root systems, are at an advantage in a dry year. The ’09 Vinha Velha has the density and firm tannins typical of the harvest but is also perfectly balanced with wonderful complexity.’

Taylor’s head blender, Natasha Bridge, added: ‘As with previous Vinha Velha bottlings, the mix of historic grape varieties in the old vineyards has expressed itself in a wonderfully multidimensional nose. The ’09 is a wine of massive scale with a long life ahead of it but remains a quintessential Vargellas, elegant and refined.’

A limited release of Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009 Vintage Port will be made later in 2011. The wine will be shipped in cases of 3 bottles.

Located in the remote eastern reaches of the Douro Valley, Quinta de Vargellas is recognised as one of the world’s great vineyard estates. Acquired by Taylor’s in 1893, its reputation as a source of the finest ports dates back to the 1820’s.

Quinta de Vargellas forms a vast north facing amphitheatre of terraced vineyard towering above the Douro River. The original part of the estate, known as the Vinha Velha or ‘old vineyard’, consists of five parcels of ancient walled terraces most of which are situated on the vertiginous slopes to the west of the estate’s house and winery.

Classified by UNESCO as World Heritage, the Vinha Velha terraces account for over 15% of the estate’s total production. The Vargellas Vinha Velha vintage port represents a very limited selection of the production of these old vines and seldom accounts for more than about 2% of the total production of the property.

The Vargellas Vinha Velha vintage is selected from five individual plots of old vineyard: Polverinho, Renova do Depósito, Renova do Armazém, Gricha and Vinha Grande. The age of the old vines on these plots varies from around 80 to 120 years. Each plot, which is harvested individually, produces wine with its own distinct character and contains a wide variety of grape varieties in which no one variety predominates. The exception is the Polverinho vineyard, which was the site of the first single-variety batch planting experiments in 1927 by Taylor partner Dick Yeatman, whose pioneering work underpins the firm’s thorough understanding of the classic Douro grape varieties.

As only a small proportion of vines in the old vineyard are selected to make the Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Ports the quantities made are tiny and are likely to remain so.

Deep purple black with narrow rim. The nose is quintessential Vargellas taken to a sublime level. Powerful linear fruit, plum, black cherry and cassis set against a dark exotic background of rosewood and clove. The heady fragrance of violets contributes to the sense of transcendent, multilayered complexity. On the palate the dense thickly textured tannins are coated with sumptuous fruit flavour giving the wine massive volume, weight and grip. But it is on the long, rich tannic finish that the wine displays its resilience and energy.

From the oldest vines at Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro Superior, this smells like schist and builds past its sweetness to a schist driven finish as well.....

From the oldest vines at Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro Superior, this smells like schist and builds past its sweetness to a schist driven finish as well. It starts off as a black fruit jam, gaining detail with air as the seemingly soft tannins yield their mineral power and the big fruited richness takes shape. Formidable wine.

A medium-sweet style, with red plum and raspberry tart flavors that feature plenty of spiced cherry accents. Shows interesting grainy notes on the tannic finish, which features good grip. Best from 2016-2026. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

The legendary Vargellas Vinha Velha comes from the oldest vines of Quinta de Vargellas.

The legendary Vargellas Vinha Velha comes from the oldest vines of Quinta de Vargellas. This 2009 vintage is concentrated and impressive, its beautiful ripe fruits and dark chocolate backed by an immense structure. The gentler side of the wine comes through in its perfumed character. A wine that deserves many years of ageing.

'I was quite taken with the Taylor's Vargellas Vinha Velha that took a few minutes to awake, but eventually offered a lovely, pure bouquet with touches of orange essence lending a little panache.'

'I was quite taken with the Taylor's Vargellas Vinha Velha that took a few minutes to awake, but eventually offered a lovely, pure bouquet with touches of orange essence lending a little panache.'

The Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009 has a more introverted than Taylor's Vintage, an earthy bouquet with touches of orange essence developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good backbone, quite reserved and composed at the moment. This is not a flamboyant Vinha Velha, but there is a very attractive, slightly biscuity quality towards the finish. Superb. Tasted May 2011.

Deep in colour, but not especially dark and not as Taylor (above); still raw, touch of tobacco and hedgerow, not nearly as showy as Taylor.

Deep in colour, but not especially dark and not as Taylor (above); still raw, touch of tobacco and hedgerow, not nearly as showy as Taylor; lovely ripe fleshy fruit backed by firm, fine-grained, tight knit tannins, rising in the mouth, long firm, powerful finish, quite big and structured but elegant too.